But eight of the past nine majors, and the past three Masters, have been won by first-time major winners.

Maybe that’s just as well at this Masters.

He had three birdies, none of them on par-5s, against four bogeys.

Seeking the win he needs to become just the sixth player to complete the career grand slam, McIlroy was just a shot off the lead after two holes but faded badly with a closing 74. It added to a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Leishman going into the weekend at Augusta National. Low round at a major championship is 62 (Branden Grace/R3/The Open Championship 2017).

Woods came in amid high expectations, fueled by top-five finishes in two tuneup events.

Here’s the moment Reed emerged victorious. I hit a tee shot that was not that bad, just caught the last branch of that tree.

“I believe if I play the golf I know how to play, I can win majors”, said Reed, a 27-year-old Texan who ended his college career 3 miles down the road at Augusta State.

Woods and Mickelson probably don’t.

That wasn’t the only impressive shot Woods hit in the early stages of his final round. “Arnold (Palmer) won his first Masters at 28”. I struggled with obviously controlling the shape. Reed had a three-shot lead. They’re just not going in.

This is not match play as it was for their singles match in Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

“Also, same way if I’m playing really well”, Reed said.

He was at 9-under 135.

On Wednesday, after Susan joined Jeff to caddie for Doug in the Par 3 Contest, Susan called the day, “the best day of my life”. He cooled until the end of his round, when a pair of birdies over the last two holes gave him a 65 and left him five shots behind.

Price, who participated in the Boys 10-11 division, placed first in the drive portion of the match, winning with a 239-yard drive, more than 5 yards ahead of his closest competitor.

“Generally after this tournament I put away the clubs for a while”, said Woods, who was planning to do so now. He drained a sweeping 30-footer after reaching the green in two. “And I had missed it for the last couple of years”. I certainly had the opportunity to do it. “And it came off”. Henrik Stenson (70) was seven shots behind.

“I want to keep the pressure on him”, McIlroy said.

“I know what the problem is, ” he said. Johnson had a 68 and was six shots behind, along with Thomas, who had a 67.

Woods made his fourth of the day when he sank a 4-foot putt at the par-5 13th. He made an odd slip-up with a bogey at the par-5 second on Saturday. His chip from 80 feet slammed against the pin and dropped for eagle. “I believe he will win other tournaments and contend in majors”. He did make birdie on No. 2 to move to 5-under before falling back to even par, where he stood after seven holes.

Here was the lengthy putt on No. 16 that at the time tied him with Reed for the lead.

Woods made bogey on the opening hole with a sand wedge from the fairway. “The fans are going to be ready to go, they are going to be ready to cheer for whoever is making putts, whoever is making birdies or pulling off shots”. But again Ghim found himself in extra holes, and on the famed 10 hole at Riviera he saw another hope at a USGA title dashed in painful fashion. “I think that will be a good goal tomorrow and hopefully I can get it done”.